Mucosal-adapted bacteriophages as a preventive strategy for a lethal Pseudomonas aeruginosa challenge in mice.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an emergent threat due to the antimicrobial resistance crisis. Bacteriophages (phages) are promising agents for phage therapy approaches against P. aeruginosa.

Molecular Xenomonitoring (MX) allows real-time surveillance of West Nile and Usutu virus in mosquito populations.

West Nile Virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV) circulate through complex cryptic transmission cycles involving mosquitoes as vectors, birds as amplifying hosts and several mammal species as dead-end hosts. Both viruses can be transmitted to humans through mosquito bites, which can lead to neuroinvasive and potentially fatal disease. Notably, WNV can also be transmitted through blood donations and organ transplants.

Relationship between a Radiographic Grading Scale of Degenerative Lumbar Disease and Quality of Life.

 To evaluate the correlation between a radiographic scale of lumbar degenerative disease and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).  A cross-sectional study in which the ODI quality of life questionnaire and the radiographic parameters for the classification of lumbar degenerative disease into different grades were compared to try to establish a relationship between them.  The relationship between the radiographic parameters and quality of life indicators does not behave homogeneously, considering the different grades of the lumbar grading scale.

Lung auscultation using smartphone built-in microphone versus digital stethoscope: a comparative early feasibility study.

Background: Lung auscultation using a smartphone built-in microphone is promising for home monitoring of pediatric respiratory diseases. Our aim was to compare respiratory sounds recorded by a smartphone and a digital stethoscope by assessing the proportion of quality recordings and adventitious sounds detected by each device.

Methods: A comparative early feasibility study with children from a public school in Northern Portugal was conducted.

Multimodal imaging in retinitis pigmentosa related to the EYS gene.

Purpose: This study aimed to characterize retinitis pigmentosa associated with the eyes shut homolog gene, which causes hereditary retinal degeneration.

Methods: The anatomical and functional findings of retinitis pigmentosa in patients with variants of the eyes shut homolog gene were characterized and compared using multimodal imaging and genetic analysis of the variants. Clinical data such as visual acuity, lens status, and refraction were obtained from medical records.

Route Planning Process by the Endangered Black Lion Tamarin in Different Environmental Contexts.

Daily, primates take a variety of decisions to establish why, when, and where to move. However, little is known about the factors influencing and shaping primate daily routes. We investigated the decision-making processes linked to route planning in four groups of black lion tamarins (BLT-Leontopithecus chrysopygus).

Stable Isotopes Analysis of Black Lion Tamarins Reveals Increasing Arthropod Consumption When Fruit Productivity Decreases in Forest Fragments.

Given the cryptic and elusive nature of prey consumption, quantifying its contribution to the diet of free-ranging primates using behavioral methods is challenging. In this context, the use of carbon and nitrogen-stable isotopes represents a promising alternative approach. Here, we used stable isotope analysis to estimate the proportion of arthropods and fruits in the diet of black lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysopygus), an endangered primate endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

Validation of the adult asthma epidemiological score: a secondary analysis of the EPI-ASTHMA population-based study.

Objective: The A2 score is an eight-question patient-reported outcome measure that has been validated for ruling in (score ≥4) and ruling out (score 0-1) asthma. However, this screening tool has been validated in a cohort similar to the derivation cohort used. This study aims to validate the predictive accuracy of the A2 score in a primary care population against general practitioner (GP) clinical assessment and to determine whether the proposed cut-offs are the most appropriate.

Surgical Management of External Cervical Resorption Using Different Materials in Relation to the Bone Crest: A Case Report.

External cervical resorption is a condition that leads to the loss of hard dental tissues, including enamel, cementum, and dentin. Although it is an aggressive condition, its causes are not yet fully understood. The treatment of resorptions depends on their extent, location and the material used.

Influence of Ensiling Timing and Inoculation on Whole Plant Maize Silage Fermentation and Aerobic Stability (Preliminary Research).

Despite efforts to prevent atypical ensiling conditions, such as delayed ensiling or sealing, these issues frequently occur in practice. This study aimed to investigate the effects of delayed ensiling (forage held for 24 h) and sealing, along with inoculation using a blend of and , on the characteristics of the resulting silages. Whole-plant maize ( L.

A Simplified Daily Fit Model to Reduce Costs and Nutrient Intake in Growing-Finishing Pigs.

Precision feeding is an excellent alternative to conventional phase feeding systems for growing-finishing pigs, especially with increasing feeding costs and environmental sustainability concerns. However, precision feeding strategies sometimes require advanced technologies such as electronic devices and the modernization of pig facilities. In addition to hardware implementation, precision feeding is frequently related to mathematical difficulties due to a lack of professionals trained in decision making.

Translation into Portuguese (Brazil), cultural adaptation and validation of Parathyroid Assessment of Symptoms (PAS) in patients with chronic kidney disease and hyperparathyroidism.

Introduction: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is related to high morbidity and mortality and loss of quality of life. Likewise, hyperparathyroidism is associated to progressive loss of renal function, with increased phosphate and decrease calcium levels, which induce the secretion of parathyroid hormone.

Objectives: To translate into Portuguese (Brazil), culturally adapt and validate the questionnaire Parathyroid Symptoms Assessment (PAS), following reliability and validity criteria in patients with chronic kidney disease and hyperparathyroidism.

Vaginal microbiome of women with premature ovarian insufficiency: a descriptive cross-sectional study.

Objective: This study aimed to describe the vaginal microbiome of women with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) receiving systemic hormone therapy (HT).

Methods: Forty women with POI receiving systemic HT for at least 6 months, who were sexually active, were included in the descriptive cross-sectional study. Vaginal secretion was collected for DNA extraction followed by pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA.

Patients' health care resources utilization and costs estimation across cardiovascular risk categories: insights from the LATINO study.

Background: Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) is a global public health concern. This study aimed to estimate the healthcare resource utilization (HRU) and costs stratified by cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk categories using real-world evidence, in a regional population in Portugal.

Methods: This is a retrospective observational study, using data from Electronic Health Records between 2017 and 2021.

L4-L5 anatomy classification system for lateral lumbar interbody fusion.

Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF), developed by Dr. Luiz Pimenta in 2006, allows access to the spinal column through the psoas major muscle. The technique has many advantages, such as reduced bone and muscular tissue damage, indirect decompression, larger implants, and lordosis correction capabilities.

Navigation and Robotic Single-Position Prone LLIF: First Cases in Brazil.

Objective: has been rapid technological advancement in navigation-guided minimally invasive surgery over the past two decades, making these advancements an invaluable aid for surgeons by essentially providing real-time virtual reconstruction of patient anatomy. The objectives of these navigation- and robot-guided procedures are to reduce the likelihood of neural and vascular injury, minimize hospitalization time, decrease bleeding and postoperative pain, shorten healing time, and lower infection rates.

Methods: A unicentric, retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the preoperative and postoperative clinical and radiographic outcomes of the first Latin American patients diagnosed with lumbar degenerative disease who underwent lumbar interbody fusion at the L4-L5 level via prone-position lateral lumbar interbody fusion-single position prone access.

A Dynamic Tool to Describe Lamb Growth and Its Use as a Decision Support System.

A dynamic model has been developed to simulate aspects of feedlot lamb growth and body composition, including energy and protein requirements, growth rate, composition of gain, and body mass. Model inputs include initial body mass (kg), standard final mass (kg), age (days), and dietary energy concentration (Mcal·kg). The model was assessed as a decision support tool using a dataset of 564 individual measures of final body mass and diet energy.

Evaluation of the use of tranexamic acid in the postoperative period in patients with scoliosis undergoing posterior fusion.

Scoliosis is the most prevalent type of spinal deformity, with a 2-3% prevalence in the general population. Moreover, surgery for scoliotic deformity may result in severe blood loss and, consequently, the need for blood transfusions, thereby increasing surgical morbidity and the rate of complications. Several antifibrinolytic drugs, such as tranexamic acid, have been regarded as safe and effective options for reducing blood loss.

Clinal variation in natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster: An old debate about natural selection and neutral processes.

Distinguishing between environmental adaptations and neutral processes poses a challenge in population genetics and evolutionary studies, particularly when phenomena can be explained by both processes. Clines are genotypic or phenotypic characters correlated with environmental variables, because of that correlation, they are used as examples of spatially varying selection. At the same time, many genotypic clines can be explained by demographic history, like isolation by distance or secondary contact zones.

Development of the Low-Pressure Die Casting Process for an Aluminium Alloy Part.

The low-pressure die casting (LPDC) process was experimentally and numerically studied to produce AlSi7Mg0.3 components such as steering knuckles. Steering knuckles are important safety components in the context of a vehicle's suspension system, serving as the mechanical interface that facilitates the articulation of the steering to control the front wheel's orientation, while simultaneously bearing the vertical load imposed by the vehicle's weight.

Use of athletic tape in the speech-language-hearing treatment of post-stroke facial paralysis in the acute phase.

Purpose: To verify the efficacy of using athletic tape associated with myofunctional therapy in the speech-language-hearing treatment of facial palsy after stroke in the acute phase.

Method: Randomized controlled clinical study with 88 patients with facial palsy in the acute phase of stroke. The sample was allocated in: Group 1: rehabilitation with orofacial myofunctional therapy and use of athletic tape on the paralyzed zygomaticus major and minor muscles; Group 2: rehabilitation alone with orofacial myofunctional therapy on the paralyzed face; Group 3: no speech-language-hearing intervention for facial paralysis.